0130 順服的困境
撒母耳睡到天亮，就開了耶和華的殿門，不敢將默示告訴以利。《撒母耳上3:15》
神從不以戲劇性的方式與我們交談，而是以容易被誤解的方式；然後我們說：「我猜那是否是神的聲音？」 以賽亞說，主是「以大能的手」對他說話，也就是透過他處境的壓力（以賽亞書8:11）。若非神自己至高無上主權的手，就沒有什麼能觸摸我們的生命。我們是否能辨別祂做工的手，還是把事情視為只是出現的事件？
要養成說「主啊，請說」的習慣，生活將變得如一場浪漫（撒母耳記上3:9）。每當環境壓力逼近你時，說「主啊，請說」，並騰出時間傾聽。管教不僅是一種紀律手段 —— 它是要帶我到我說「主啊，請說」的地步。回想一下神曾經對你說話的時刻。你還記得祂說了什麼嗎？是路加福音11:13？還是帖撒羅尼迦前書5:23？當我們傾聽時，我們的耳朵變得更加敏感，就像耶穌一樣，我們將會一直聽到神的聲音。
我應該告訴我的「以利」神向我顯明的事嗎？這就是順服的進退兩難擊中我們的所在。我們違背神，透過成為業餘的護佑者，認為「我必須保護『以利』」，以利代表我們所認識最好的人。神沒有告訴撒母耳去告訴以利，這是撒母耳他自己必須做的決定。神給你的信息可能會傷害你的「以利」，但試圖阻止別人生命中的苦難將證明是你靈魂與神之間的障礙。阻止別人的右手被砍掉或右眼被挖掉（見馬太福音5:29-30），那是你自己的風險了。
關於神要你在祂面前作決定的事情，永遠不要尋求別人的意見。如果你尋求建議，你幾乎總是會站在撒但那一邊。「我沒有與屬血氣的商量…」（加拉太書1:16）。
來自章伯斯的智慧
亞伯拉罕信神的重要之處，乃在於他預備好為神做任何事。《不知往何處去》
0130 The Dilemma of Obedience
Samuel was afraid to tell Eli the vision. —1 Samuel 3:15
God never speaks to us in dramatic ways, but in ways that are easy to misunderstand. Then we say, “I wonder if that is God’s voice?” Isaiah said that the Lord spoke to him “with a strong hand,” that is, by the pressure of his circumstances (Isaiah 8:11). Without the sovereign hand of God Himself, nothing touches our lives. Do we discern His hand at work, or do we see things as mere occurrences?
Get into the habit of saying, “Speak, Lord,” and life will become a romance (1 Samuel 3:9). Every time circumstances press in on you, say, “Speak, Lord,” and make time to listen. Chastening is more than a means of discipline— it is meant to bring me to the point of saying, “Speak, Lord.” Think back to a time when God spoke to you. Do you remember what He said? Was it Luke 11:13, or was it 1 Thessalonians 5:23? As we listen, our ears become more sensitive, and like Jesus, we will hear God all the time.
Should I tell my “Eli” what God has shown to me? This is where the dilemma of obedience hits us. We disobey God by becoming amateur providences and thinking, “I must shield ‘Eli,’” who represents the best people we know. God did not tell Samuel to tell Eli— he had to decide that for himself. God’s message to you may hurt your “Eli,” but trying to prevent suffering in another’s life will prove to be an obstruction between your soul and God. It is at your own risk that you prevent someone’s right hand being cut off or right eye being plucked out (see Matthew 5:29-30).
Never ask another person’s advice about anything God makes you decide before Him. If you ask advice, you will almost always side with Satan. “…I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood…” (Galatians 1:16).
WISDOM FROM OSWALD CHAMBERS
The great point of Abraham’s faith in God was that he was prepared to do anything for God. Not Knowing Whither, 903 R